This is an important week to pay attention to running backs in fantasy football. It's time to continue our fantasy football series with a breakdown on the running back position.
This is a position that is starting to find hidden gems. There are always a ton of injuries that cause for backups to get an opportunity to play. This is the case at this point in the season. If you are dealing with injuries or a bye week for this position, then this is the time to pay attention. There will be some different names putting up points this week rather than the usual players.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ‘Em
Michael Carter, New York Jets
Michael Carter is turning into a potential star for the Jets. He's fresh off of the best game of his rookie season. He rushed for 77 yards and a TD while catching nine passes for 95 yards. He's a dual-threat running back that can hurt the defense in a variety of ways.
The Colts rank 3rd against the run this season. The Indianapolis gives up a ton of passing yardage but has had success stopping the run. This isn't a favorable matchup for Carter but it's a short week and anything can happen. I expect Carter to continue his run of scoring three TDs in his last four games. Don't be surprised if he reaches the endzone multiple times.
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles
Boston Scott is licking his chops right now. He is earning a ton of reps due to the injury to Miles Sanders. He also will face arguably the worst run defense in the NFL this week. The Chargers rank 28th against the run and give up a ton of yardage week in and week out.
Scott is a top waiver wire candidate this week and will be added to a ton of rosters for fantasy football. He rushed 12 times last week against the Lions, scoring twice. He should be in for another huge performance this week at home. It's odd to see how the Eagles treat their RBs, but if Scott gets the reps again then he should play well.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Chubb is coming off of his worst performance of the season. That shouldn't happen again as he faces a favorable matchup this week. The Cincinnati Bengals rank 27th against the run. Chubb and the Browns' offense need to get back on track. If the Browns can go back to how it was early in the year, then Chubb will be just fine. The only concern is Chubb's previous injury, but that seems to have healed for now.
Fantasy Running Backs Week 9 Sit ‘Em
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Robinson is currently dealing with an injury to his heel. It could have been a lot worse but he is currently questionable for this week. The matchup doesn't favor him even if he plays. The Jags will play the Buffalo Bills who are ranked first against the run. Nobody stops the run better than the Bills. If Robinson does play, he could find the endzone. But he will be limited and shouldn't be started in fantasy football this week.
Damien Harris, New England Patriots
Harris is fresh off a great game against the LA Chargers. He found the endzone while going over 100 yards in the close win. The Patriots' offense is coming alive and Harris is clearly the starter. They like to utilize multiple backs but Harris is the go-to guy for now.
He's been playing well, but I expect it to be limited this week. harris and the Pats face the 2nd ranked run defense in the league. The Carolina Panthers are shutting down the run at a close level to the Buffalo Bills. Expect Harris to not play as well as he did against what was a poor Chargers' defense.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Jacobs has been very above average this season. He's been pretty consistent with his fantasy football numbers despite missing two games. The Raiders are fresh off of a bye week so should've given Jacobs plenty of time to get back to 100%. He didn't get many carries two weeks ago and that causes for concern for this week. He sustained a chest contusion in the win over the Eagles and it doesn't look like it has fully healed.
The Raiders do have a favorable matchup this week against the New York Giants. It's just too tough to tell where Jacobs is physically so it might be smart to avoid him this week. Everything could go back to normal for him and the Raiders offense but it's too risky at this point in the fantasy football season.
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